Public Statements

Press Release

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley on Saturday responded to an Associated Press report that said the Governor called on Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney to release financial documents. The report further said Governor Bentley suggested that by not releasing various documents, a person might have something to hide.

Earlier Saturday, Governor Bentley was asked by a reporter at the National Governors Association conference whether he thought Mitt Romney should release tax returns. The Governor said yes - adding that he believes in transparency and releases his own tax returns each year. Contrary to the AP report, Governor Bentley did not call on Romney to release "all documents requested of him." The Governor was responding to whether tax returns should be released, and he said yes.

"I believe my comments were taken out of context, they were not reported in their entirety, and I want to make sure the record is set straight," Governor Bentley said in a statement. "I believe in trasparency, and that was the basis for my answer. I personally choose to release my own returns each year, and there was no effort to imply that Mr. Romney has anything to hide."

"While I believe in total transparency, I also believe much of the rhetoric surrounding Mitt Romney's personal finances is nothing more than an attempt by Democrats to distract from the real issues of the presidential campaign. The real issues are the economy, employment, and getting America back on the right track," Governor Bentley added. "I fully support Mitt Romney and his vision for our country, and I will do everything I can to help get him elected."